Mumbai, Nov 24: The situation in Tehsil town of Kankvali in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, that witnessed large scale arson yesterday, was `tense but under control' today even as Shiv Sena sponsored bandh, to protest setting afire of the house of party leader Narayan Rane, evoked a mixed response.
"The situation is under control but tension still prevails in the area," state police said. Around 20 persons, mostly Shiv Sainiks, have been taken into custody and strict police patrolling was being maintained, police said adding that prohibitory orders have also been clamped. State Reserve Police (SRP) personnel have been requisitioned from Mumbai, Raigad and nearby places to control the situation.
Trouble broke out in the coastal belt, hitherto known as a Sena stronghold, after NCP leader Satyavijay Bhise was stabbed to death allegedly by sainiks provoking angry retaliation from NCP workers who stormed into the leader of the Opposition Narayan Rane's residence and set it ablaze.

The imbroglio has precipitated into a serious political issue with Sena-BJP combine demanding dismissal of the DF government for alleged controversial remarks by deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
In Mumbai, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh rushed to Raj Bhavan today and apprised governor Mohammad Fazal about the situation.

Bureau Report